The 2019 NHL Draft is this Friday, June 21 to this Saturday, June 22. Teams will look to draft those couple of players that will help them leap into Stanley Cup contention. Check out our predictions for the Top 10 players in Round 1 of the 2019 NHL Draft! Also, check out the 2020 Stanley Cup odds, which should be changing once the Draft is done.
2019 NHL Draft Predictions & Preview
- When: Friday, June 21 – Saturday, June 22
- Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver Canada
- TV: NBCSN
- Live Stream: NBC Sports Live
2019 NHL Draft Top 10 Predictions
1. New Jersey Devils – Kaapo Kakko, RW
The 18-year-old Finnish player had 22 goals and 16 assists in 38 games for TPS in Finland this season. He’s 6’2” and weighs 197 pounds. Although he’s listed as a right-winger, he can also play center. The Devils will want this flexible player.
2. New York Rangers – Jack Hughes, C
Hughes is only 5’ 10”, but he’s incredibly fast. With the U.S. National Development Team U18, he dominated this season with 38 goals and 78 assists in only 50 games played. Hughes could go first ahead of Kakko.
3. Chicago Blackhawks – Bowen Byram, D
Another 18-year-old, Byram played with the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League. He’s considered the top scoring defenseman in the draft. The Blackhawks, anybody in the Top 5 really, could use his two-way ability.
4. Colorado Avalanche – Kirby Dach, C
The Avalanche aren’t that far off from winning the Stanley Cup. Dach could help them do that. He’ll contribute right away. His size, 6’ 4” and close to 200 pounds, makes him an ideal player for Colorado.
5. L.A. Kings – Alex Turcotte, C
The Kings need help in a lot of areas. They could go with Trevor Zegras here. The guess is that they go with Turcotte, a center that can play both ways. Turcotte’s got elite vision and plays at a high-speed. Those are two things the Kings could most definitely use in a player.
6. Detroit Red Wings – Trevor Zegras, C
Zegras has pro-level mobility. The Kings could take Zegras with pick 5. If they do, Detroit will probably draft Turcotte. Zegras’s game might be more refined. He had 26 goals and 61 assists in 60 matches for the U.S. National U18 Team.
7. Buffalo Sabres – Cole Caufield, RW
Some NHL teams might be turned off by Caufield’s size, 5’7” and 163 pounds. That could be a mistake. First, like most players on this list, he’s only 18. He could grow still. Not only that, but he’s a scoring machine. Caufield racked up 72 goals and 28 assists for the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2018-2019.
8. Edmonton Oilers – Vasily Podkolzin, RW
Podkolzin won’t turn 18 until June 24. This hockey season, he played for both SKA-Neva in the VHL, and SKA-1946 in the Junior Hockey League. Those are two Russian leagues. Podkolzin has professional experience, which means a team could draft him higher than 8. If he falls to 8, the Oilers figure to take him.
9. Anaheim Ducks – Philip Broberg, D
Broberg is a day younger than Podkolzin. He won’t turn 18 until June 25. Although young, he’s big at 6’ 3” and 203 pounds. Some believe he’s the most complete defenseman in this draft. The Ducks would be ecstatic if he lasted until pick 9. There’s a chance teams looking for more defense, possibly the Avalanche, take a shot on Broberg earlier than pick 9.
10. Vancouver Canucks – Matthew Boldy, LW
Boldy had 33 goals and 48 assists in 64 games played for the U.S. National U18 Team this past season. The Canucks could go for a defenseman here as well. If Broberg is on the board, they’ll probably pass on Boldy and go with Broberg.
